Aging gracefully - muscle tone

As we continue to consider how we can age gracefully in Christ, we are moving today from wrinkle creams for our faces to increased muscle tone for our bodies.

(Grin)

You all know, of course, that these titles are tongue-in-cheek. I'm referring to the frantic pursuit of youthfulness that occupies many in our world today, and drawing some comparisons. Today's comparison is that we can increase (or just keep) muscle tone by working out. And so, the choice that I would like to discuss with you is that of godly character - the outworking of my life in Christ.

Godly character traits are indeed things that need to be exercised. You know, the old adage, "use it or lose it!" Just as a trainer urges a client to work hard, Paul exhorted Timothy that godly character wouldn't happen overnight; he was referring to experience, hard work, and learning from our mistakes when he told him:

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  (I Timothy 4:7-8, NIV)

I found one dictionary that defined character as moral excellence and firmness, and another defined godly character as strength of moral fiber. . . . all of these sound like we need to investigate - and then we need to exercise!

Let's dig in, ok?

We've all heard phrases like "a woman of integrity," and "a man of principle." A person's character is the sum of her (or his) thoughts, intentions, desires, and actions. But it's important to note that character is gauged by the overall picture, not just a few isolated actions. That gives us hope, right? In spite of some epic failures, it's the "complete picture" that makes the difference.  After all, King David was a man of good character overall (see I Samuel 13:14), even though he sinned (and famously) on occasion. (Grin)  King Ahab may have acted nobly one time, but he was still a man of terrible character overall.

 Ahab also made the Asherah. So Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. (I Kings 16:33, NASB)

Godly character is the result of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. God gives us purity of heart; godly character is that purity in action. 

Since I know, my God, that You put the heart to the test and delight in uprightness, (I Chronicles 29:17a)

How can we continue to exercise our godly character? How can we increase our spiritual muscle tone? First, we can control our thoughts:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Then we need to practice Christian virtues:

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love (II Peter 1:5-7)

We also must guard our hearts:

Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Oh! And don't forget while exercising to keep good company:

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (I Corinthians 15:33)

Women and men of firm spiritual muscle tone will set good examples for others to follow, and their godliness and integrity will be seen by everyone.

You might say that by "working out" and "lifting some weights," they will be aging gracefully. Remember we said that godly character was purity of heart in action? Check this out:

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God,  (Romans 12:9-19a, NASB)